Clamp for concrete-forms.



Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

H N .R O T T A IN VE N TORS Arfhur H. Symqns. B Y Geo. 7 Con/r/m.

A. H. SYMONS & G. E. GONKLIN.

OLAMP FOR CONCRETE FORMS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8, 1910.

"*"umu WITNESSES:

boards.

TED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

ARTHUR H. SYMONS AND GEORGE E. CONKLIN, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS; SAID CONKLIN ASSIGNOR T0 SAID SYMONS.

CLAMP FOR CONCRETE-FORMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR H.- SYMONS and GEORGE E. CONKLIN, citizens of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Vyandotte and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps for Concrete- Forms; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use'the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to an improved clamp for concrete forms, more particularly forms for constructing columns, or the like; the principal object of the invention'being to provide means for holding the boards of the form close together while the material is being-poured and while such material is becoming hardened or set In constructing forms of this character it has been customary to nail cross pieces or clamps to the vertical form boards and place wedges between the clamps and the body of the form, in order to close the cracks between the With this construction, the material of which a form is made, may be used a limited number of times, and after being so used is practically worthless for anyother purpose, as it is usually split from being repeatedly nailed together and torn apart.

Our improved device is adapted for obviating these disadvantages by providing a metal clamp which may close the form tightly together and hold same in position during the pouring and setting process, and which may be easily and quickly removed without damaging the material of which the form is constructed; the improved details of structure of our improvement being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure I is a perspective view of a column form, to which one of our improved clamps is applied. Fig. II is a detail View of one of the clamp units. Fig. III is an enlarged detail plan view of the overly ng arms of the separate clamp units, showing the application of the corner bracket and the tightening lever. Fig. IV is a deta1l perspective of a corner bracket which forms a part of our improved clamp. Fig. V me similar view of the reverse side of same. Fig. VI is a View of the locking pin. Fig. VII is a perspective view of the tightening lever.

Referring more in detail to the parts l designates a-column-form which is preferably constructed of boards arranged on end and in edge contact, the form here shown being square, although our improved clamp 313.3 be adapted for use with forms of. other ross section.

2 designates the clamp unit which, in this construction, are two in number and formed of metal arms 3, the arms being preferably formed ofv strap metal, and pivotally' connected at one end by the pins 4, the free ends of the arms being prov ided with a number of apertures 5 for a purpose presently described. In applying the units to the column form, the armmembers are placed on opposite corners of the form, so that, in

the strap construction, the edges of the straps lie close against the sides of the form, the apertured portions overlying each other, as shown in Figs. I and III.

6 designates corner brackets, having slots 6' in their respective members, the slots in opposite members being arranged in parallel planes and spaced according to the width of the strap with which they are to be used, inv order that, when the strap units have been positioned, the brackets may be placed thereover, so that said straps may lie fiat upon each other and project through the bracket slots without jamming. Brackets 6 are preferably formed of cast metal and provided with strengthening ribs 6 at their inner corners (Fig. III), and with grooves 7, at each side of the slots (3.

8 designates a lever which is formed of a piece of strap metal having a cam end 9, and a cut out portion 10 in one edge. Fixed in the sides of the-cam head are pins 11, which project therefrom and are adapted to take into the main strap apertures when the parts are assembled.

12 designates pins which are adapted to Hfit within the strap apertures 5 and have heads that may either be supported on the face of the strap or on the edge of the bracket 6 when the parts are assembled.

In using our improved clamp, the column form is assembled in the usual manner and a pair of the clamps applied to opposite corners thereof, so that their aperture-d ends tightly against the form and pulling the opposite arm tightly against the opposite side of the form. By providing the cut out portion 10 in the edge of the lever near the cam head, a space is left through which a pin may be projected. into one of the arm apertures, whereas if the lever were straight, the proper aperture might be covered so that the pin could not be dropped into place. As soon as one strap has been tightened, a pin is dropped into the aperture, closest to the bracket, in order to hold the clamp in its tightened position. The other straps are then tightened in like manner; the grooved portions of the bracket holding the cam head of the lever, so that it will not be displaced vertically under the tightening ten- S1011.

It is apparent that -a number of clamps may be applied to a single form and that when either applying the clamp or removing same, the material of which the form is constructed will not be destroyed or injured, and that the clamps may be used repeatedly without injury to themselves or to the forms to which they are applied.

in with their free ends, the slot in one of said members disposedin the upper portion thereof and the slot. in the other member disposed in the lower portion of said member, the said slots being adapted to receive said arm members through their free ends I and provide means whereby the said arm members will overlap within saidbracket.

2. A clamp for concrete forms, compris ing arm members arranged in sets, each set having its members pivotally connected at one end, brackets having members disposed at right angles to each other, said'members' provided with slots communicating with their free ends, the slot of one of the members being disposed in the upperportion of said member and the slot of the other member disposed in the lower portion thereof, whereby the said arms will overlap within the angle of said bracket, and ,ribs formed integral with said angle members and engaging theco-rners of said concrete forms.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two'witnesses.

ARTHUR H. SYMONS. GEORGE E. CONKLIN. Witnesses:

MYRTLE M. JACKSON, I ARTHUR W. CAPS.- 

